Duke Ellington Music Greats.

Описание: Duke Ellington (1899–1974) was an American composer, pianist, and bandleader of his jazz orchestra for half a century, widely regarded as one of the most significant composers in American history. Known for his elegance and charisma, he was nicknamed "Duke" by his friends. 

Key Facts

Birth/Death: Born Edward Kennedy Ellington on April 29, 1899, in Washington, D.C.; he died on May 24, 1974, in New York City.

Career: Ellington led his eponymous orchestra from 1924 until his death, rising to national prominence during his residency at Harlem's famous Cotton Club from 1927 to 1931.

Compositions: He wrote or collaborated on more than one thousand compositions, with his extensive body of work considered the largest recorded personal jazz legacy. He often referred to his music simply as "American Music," considering it "beyond category".

Innovations: Ellington was an originator of big-band jazz, known for his innovative use of the orchestra and his ability to write pieces tailored to the unique talents of his band members.

Collaborations: He had a nearly 30-year collaboration with composer-arranger Billy Strayhorn, who wrote the orchestra's signature tune, "Take the 'A' Train".

Awards: He received 13 Grammy Awards during his lifetime and posthumously. In 1999, on the centennial of his birth, he was posthumously awarded a Pulitzer Prize Special Citation to recognize his musical genius and significant contributions to culture and the arts. 

Notable Works

Ellington's compositions span jazz standards, popular songs, extended suites, and sacred music. 

Standards: "Mood Indigo," "Sophisticated Lady," "Solitude," "Caravan," "I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart," "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)," "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," and "Satin Doll" are among his many lasting hits.

Extended Suites: He composed numerous extended works, including Black, Brown and Beige (1943), a tone parallel to African American history, and Such Sweet Thunder (1957), based on Shakespearean characters.

Film Scores: He also composed music for films, notably Anatomy of a Murder (1959). 

You can listen to some of his music on streaming platforms like Spotify or find video clips and documentaries on YouTube. 

Duke Ellington | Biography, Songs, Albums, & Facts - Britannica

28 Nov 2025 — Why is Duke Ellington significant? Duke Ellington was the greatest jazz composer and bandleader of his time. One of the originators of big-band jazz,



Britannica



Duke Ellington - Wikipedia

Duke Ellington * Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orches...



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Duke Ellington | Birmingham Royal Ballet

He went on to compose some 6000 works, including Mood Indigo, Caravan, Solitude, Sophisticated Lady and Such Sweet Thunder (1956), a series of ten Shakespeare p...



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Duke Ellington | Biography, Songs & Accomplishments - Study.com

Duke Ellington: Facts and Overview. Duke Ellington was a composer, musician and leader of a very significant Jazz orchestra right at the beginning of the 1920s.



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Duke Ellington - Spotify

Albums * Copenhagen 1958. * Duke Ellington Live Helsinki 1963 (Restauración 2024) * 16me. Paris Jazz Festival 1er. Novembre 1969 (Restauración 2022) Album • 202...



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About - DESUK: The Duke Ellington Society UK

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Duke Ellington on The Ed Sullivan Show - YouTube

Duke Ellington on The Ed Sullivan Show - YouTube.



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Take the "A" Train - Wikipedia

"Take the 'A' Train" is a jazz standard by Billy Strayhorn that was the signature tune of the Duke Ellington orchestra.



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In 1939, pianist and composer Billy Strayhorn joined Ellington, and the two men found they had a natural talent for writing music together, continuing. until St...



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21 Dec 2025 — 12 facts about Duke Ellington. ... One of the most influential pianists and composers in jazz, Duke Ellington would lead his band for nearly fifty ye...



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Duke Ellington - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Duke Ellington. ... Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American composer, pianist, and Big band leader. He was one of the mo...



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